International Cannabis Business Conference Invades Canada on October 13-14

I will admit my bias up front, as I assist in the organizing of the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), along with longtime activists like Debby Goldsberry, Ngaio Bealum and Alex Rogers, and many great people in Oregon, California, and now Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. However, I am extremely proud of the ICBCs that we have put on because we always have a focus on activism and keeping true to the underlying ideals of the cannabis law reform movement: keeping people out of prison and protecting patients.

Yes, entrepreneurs and investors must make money, but we can make that money in a responsible way. We don’t need to impose draconian laws that put rule-breakers in prison and we don’t have to deprive patients of a non-profit, non-taxed medical system to make nice profits in an adult-use system. I am really excited that the ICBC will be headed to Vancouver, BC, as Canada is moving towards legalizing cannabis for all adults. Also, Vancouver is just a great city and I haven’t been for several years.

If you are in the cannabis industry, or thinking of joining, you should definitely consider attending the ICBC. There aren’t many conferences where you’ll get to network with so many top activists and entrepreneurs from around the globe and hear some candid, hilarious stories from Tommy Chong. Oh yeah, all attendees get to party with Tommy Chong as well! Hope to see you there! You should get your tickets soon!

The timing couldn’t be any better to gather in Vancouver. Just this month, the Canadian government rolled out a slew of new regulations for the country’s medical marijuana programs and dispensaries, growers, patients and wholesalers are scrambling to get up to speed on what the new rules mean for their businesses.

“It’s crazy,” said Alex Rogers, executive producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference. “Tens of thousands of people have seen a switch flipped on their operations. They’re rushing to figure out what’s still legal, what’s not, and how this will affect their bottom lines. Not to mention patients, who need their cannabis as part of a treatment.”

Conference organizers are arranging two panels of experts to talk about the new rules and how individuals and businesses can stay out of trouble. Top Canadian officials have also indicated their desire to pass legislation legalizing recreational cannabis within the coming year, causing a rush of speculation and investment.

ICBC attendees will be treated to keynote speakers Gabor Mate, a prominent Canadian doctor whose work explores cannabis use as part of a holistic understanding of what it means to be human. He’ll kick off the conference on Friday morning. Saturday’s keynote speaker will be Brendan Kennedy, CEO of Privateer Holdings, the first private equity firm to invest in cannabis. Thier portfolio includes household names including Leafly, Tilray and Marley Natural. He will be talk about what it takes for a cannabis business to go big.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the world’s leading conference that focuses on the business, science, culture and politics of cannabis. Following back-to-back years of sold-out conferences in San Francisco, the ICBC extends its international reach to Berlin, Germany in April of 2017. More dates to be announced soon.

Considering the churn in Canada’s cannabis economy, tickets are going fast. Get yours before early bird pricing ends on September 28th by following this link.

Anthony Johnson is the director of New Approach Oregon, the Political Action Committee responsible for Oregon's Measure 91 cannabis legalization campaign and co-owner of Duff Johnson Consulting. As Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Anthony served on the state's initial Marijuana Advisory Committee and he continues to advocate for sensible policies that decrease unnecessary arrests, protect patients' safe access, and help small businesses. With Duff Johnson Consulting, Anthony helps cannabis farmers, processors, retailers, and ancillary businesses with licensing, compliance, public relations, and marketing. DJC clients include the International Cannabis Business Conference, the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, Cannabliss, Natural Roots, and numerous medical cannabis cultivators that provide free cannabis to patients in need.Anthony co-hosts the Let's Hash It Out podcast, available here on Weed News, at www.letshashitout.blog, Sound Cloud, iTunes, and Stitcher. Anthony's blogs on Weed News are personal and don't necessarily reflect the views of any organization or company.

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